China isolated as tensions sideline its diplomatic efforts for nuclear talks

RISING tensions over North Korea's alleged sinking of a South Korean warship are providing an unwelcome reality check for Pyongyang's chief ally, China, experts have said.

Only months ago, Beijing was reaping kudos for sponsoring six-nation talks on dismantling North Korea's nuclear programmes. Today, it is increasingly isolated for failing to back US and South Korean calls to get tough on Pyongyang. "China won't pressure North Korea. That could lead to a crisis," said Gong Keyu, deputy director of the Asia-Pacific Research Center at Shanghai's Institute for International Studies. "But if China keeps doing nothing, some countries may come to doubt our influence in the region and question whether Beijing is a responsible international player."

Yesterday, China's deputy foreign minister, Zhang Zhijun, insisted the cause of the 26 March sinking of the corvette Cheonan in which 46 South Korean sailors died had yet to be determined, and called for dialogue.